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July 24, 2026
 

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UTILITIES

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society / Longform
Jul 13, 2026
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
Burying Japan¡¯s power lines is far more difficult ¡ª and expensive ¡ª than it looks.
Keisuke Yokoo, the incoming chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Co., said he is open to forming alliances with firms outside of Japan as the nation¡¯s largest utility seeks to restructure its operations.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 2, 2026
Incoming Tepco chair open to alliance partners outside of Japan
Yokoo¡¯s remarks to reporters come as the utility pushes ahead with a business plan unveiled in January.
Chubu Electric Power's Hamaoka nuclear power station in Shizuoka Prefecture on May 17, 2013
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 27, 2026
Japan weighs criminal penalties for nuclear plant data fraud
The plan is being considered following earthquake risk data fraud by Chubu Electric Power over its Hamaoka nuclear power plant in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings' headquarters in Tokyo
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 22, 2026
Tepco employees recorded civil trials in violation of court rules
On the same day, Shikoku Electric Power and Chugoku Electric Power also admitted to making audio recordings in the courtroom.
The government doesn't plan to ask businesses and households to save electricity this summer despite fuel shortages arising from the war in the Middle East.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 20, 2026
Japan says it has enough power to meet scorching summer demand
Households and businesses won¡¯t be asked to conserve power, as all regions are expected to have ample supply, according to documents.
Electricity and city gas fees are likely to start rising around June as prices for crude oil and liquefied natural gas have been soaring because of the war in Iran.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 14, 2026
Japan considers electricity and city gas subsidies in summer
Fees are likely to start rising around June as prices for crude oil and liquefied natural gas have been soaring due to the war in Iran.
The 30-day moving average for coal generation across Japan¡¯s main islands was up 17% on Tuesday compared with the same period last year, and has been consistently higher since late March.
BUSINESS
May 13, 2026
Japan¡¯s coal power generation climbs as war makes LNG more expensive
The 30-day moving average for coal generation across Japan¡¯s main islands was up 17% on Tuesday compared with the same period last year.
Japan has cut dependence on the Middle East for its liquefied natural gas in recent years, but utilities remain exposed to the cost of importing fuel.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 1, 2026
Japanese utilities withhold earnings guidance amid fuel volatility
The war in the Middle East has driven a 70% increase in LNG prices in Asia, while the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings is facing significant financial challenges stemming from the triple meltdown at its tsunami-stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 25, 2026
Chief of government-backed JIC could become next Tepco chairman
If the appointment is approved, the 74-year-old will become the fifth chairman in a row picked from outside the major power company.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings resumed commercial operations of reactor No. 6 at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata Prefecture on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 16, 2026
Tepco resumes commercial operations at Niigata plant for first time in 14 years
The restart of reactor No. 6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant comes roughly 50 days later than scheduled.
If the timeline for constructing an anti-terrorism facility is eased, the No. 6 reactor at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings' Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in Niigata Prefecture is expected to see their deadline delayed to April 2031 from September 2029.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 2, 2026
Japan eases timeline for creating nuclear plant anti-terrorism facilities
Out of the 12 reactors across the nation for which anti-terrorism facilities have been completed, only one met the deadline.
Some utilities, for instance, tout that the utility costs will be cheaper under their plan without accounting for a variable fuel adjustment charge.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Mar 30, 2026
Utility contract complaints persist nearly a decade after deregulation
Consumer officials are urging caution as complaints over electricity and gas contracts remain almost 10 years since Japan opened its utility markets.
Water utilities will be required to conduct PFAS tests every three months in principle under new tap water quality standards that will take effect next month.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Mar 23, 2026
Japan to mandate inspections for PFAS in water from April
The Environment Ministry aims to assess PFAS concentrations in water supplies nationwide.
Chubu Electric Power President Kingo Hayashi speaks at a news conference to explain its quarterly earnings in Nagoya earlier this month.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 24, 2026
Chubu Electric eyes stake in Indian renewable company Continuum
The Japanese power developer is nearing a deal to buy about $150 million to $200 million of new shares in Continuum at a valuation of over $1 billion.
Tohoku Electric President Kazuhiro Ishiyama (center) and other executives bow in apology during a meeting with officials of Aomori Prefectural Government on Wednesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Feb 19, 2026
Tohoku Electric submits improvement plan after improper tests at nuclear plant
Irregularities at the plant were due to lack of awareness of the importance of work to protect nuclear materials and insufficient involvement by senior officials, the firm said.
Japan Gas Association leader Takashi Uchida speaks during an interview in Tokyo's Minato Ward on Jan. 15.
BUSINESS
Jan 30, 2026
Japan Gas Association leader says it¡¯s hard to give up Russian LNG
Securing alternative suppliers will not be easy since Russian LNG has an ¡°economic advantage,¡± says Takashi Uchida.
Nine regional power utilities announced Thursday that average household electricity bills will rise in February, due to higher liquefied natural gas costs and reduced government subsidies.
BUSINESS
Jan 30, 2026
Nine of Japan¡¯s 10 regional power utilities to raise bills in February
Kansai Electric Power is the only utility not to raise its bills.
The No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata Prefecture. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings expects to return to profitability in the next fiscal year on the assumption that the reactor is restarted.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 26, 2026
Tepco to make cost cuts of ?3.1 trillion over 10 years under new business plan
The cost cuts will be achieved through business streamlining, reduced investment and asset sales.
Chubu Electric Power President Kingo Hayashi (center) bows in apology during his meeting with Masaru Shimomura, mayor of Omaezaki, Shizuoka Prefecture, in the city on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jan 15, 2026
Chubu Electric chief apologizes to mayor over nuclear plant data fraud
It was the first time for Chubu Electric¡¯s president to offer an apology to the Hamaoka plant host municipality in Shizuoka Prefecture since the scandal came to light.
Under the new business reconstruction program, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings aims to improve its profitability as huge costs are expected for compensation to victims of the March 2011 nuclear accident at its tsunami-stricken Fukushima No. 1 power plant and for decommissioning reactors at the plant.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 11, 2026
Tepco submits new business reconstruction plan
The new plan includes a policy to promote preparations for the decommissioning of the nuclear plant, such as securing human resources.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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